The dinoflagellate Alexandrium catenella produces a suite of potent neurotoxins, collectively known as paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs), which accumulate in shellfish and cause severe illness or death if contaminated shellfish are consumed by humans. Alexandrium catenella form dormant cysts that overwinter on the seafloor and provide the inoculum for toxic blooms the following summer when conditions become favorable again for growth of the motile cell. A 2005 survey of A. catenella cyst distribution in Puget Sound, Washington, identified “seedbeds” with high cyst abundances that correspond to areas where shellfish frequently attain high levels of toxin. However, even at these sites, interannual variability in the magnitude of toxic events is high. In order to provide advanced warning of A. catenella blooms, managers need to know how much “seed” is available to initiate blooms, where this seed is located, when/where this seed could germinate and grow, and how these factors could be altered by future climate change.

Announcements

2016 cyst mapping in Hood Canal.

Mar 7, 2016 10:29 AM

In January 2016, Hood Canal was surveyed again to determine whether the widespread bloom of Alexa...

In January 2016, Hood Canal was surveyed again to determine whether the widespread bloom of Alexandrium in 2015 had “seeded” more of the area with resting cysts that could increase bloom risk this summer. Check out the results by clicking on the "Cyst Maps" tab to the left of your screen.

An unprecedented bloom of Alexandrium in Quilcene and Dabob Bay, Hood Canal, prompted an emergency cyst mapping effort on board the R/V Barnes from Jan 17-20. Check out the results by clicking on the "Cyst Maps" tab to the left of your screen.

At the final PS-AHAB stakeholder workshop, participants expressed satisfaction with information provided by the project and interest in the development of HAB predictions on multiple timescales. See more by clicking on the "Publications and outreach" tab to the left of your screen.

Glenn Farley from King 5 and Ashley Ahearn from KUOW joined the crew aboard the R/V Clifford A. Barnes for day to report on our hunt for Alexandrium cysts! The link to the stories can be accessed by clicking on the "Publications and outreach" tab to the left of your screen. Photos from the cruise can be accessed by clicking on the "Field and lab" tab.